Davide and Zoe decided to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary with family. With blankets scattered across the field of wildflowers and a picnic feast filling everyone's bellies, the Beowolfs and the Spencers and Stella Childress did what they enjoyed most—spend time with family. Zoe leaned back on her elbows glancing from one family member to another.
She watched Roth and Rainey strolling hand-in-hand near the woods, laughing and chatting. Moving her gaze to Stella, who was also watching the gathering from another blanket, she observed both sadness and contentment in her expression and aura. Hank had died peacefully a year earlier at a ripe old age with his wife by his side. And just today, Stella had informed the family that she'd decided to return to the Isle of Shapelings to begin the next phase of her life. She'd laughed and joked, "I'm tired of trying to appear old. It's time for me to move on. Hank would want that."
Zoe watched Lilly drop onto the blanket beside Stella and hug her grandmother. Lilly had blossomed into a beautiful young woman with all the capabilities of a full-blooded shapeling, and begun training missions with her father. Roth couldn't have been prouder.
Next, Zoe glanced at her own father and Fawn. As always, her father appeared much younger than his sixty-seven years. Fawn said something and he tilted his head backward, laughing loudly. Zoe smiled when her nine year old brother, Michael, tossed an intricately folded paper glider into the breeze and it flew and hit their father on the nose. Wade bent to retrieve it and then jogged over to play with his son. Michael's creativity and artistic ability always amazed his family. So far, it was unknown whether he had inherited the ability to shift, but everyone knew that he would never be hampered from attaining whatever he set his heart to. His indigo aura outshone any that she had ever seen.
Lastly, Zoe watched her husband and six year old twins step from the forest. Their daughters, Marigold and Lavender, named for the color of their auras, cradled treasures discovered in the woods and skipped excitedly over to Roth and Rainey. Sighing contentedly, Zoe closed her eyes and thanked Source for the blessing of family.
"Tell me the secret of your smile?"
Zoe opened her eyes as Davide knelt beside her and reached to touch her springy curls.
"I'm smiling because I'll never forget the happiness of this day."
"Lie beside me," he said as he stretched out.
She curled into his arms and he bent to kiss her cheek. "Happy Anniversary, Princess." She placed her head against his heart and he touched his lips to her ear. "I've been feeling the call of Uluru."
"I know. I feel it, too."
"Why don't we ring up Paul and Joanie and ask them to meet us there, and then let Yileen and Pengana know we're coming. We'll pack up the twins and head out for vacation, and when we get back, we'll be inspired for our new album."
"I think that's a wonderful idea." Zoe reached for Davide's hand and placed it on her belly. "And I think our baby needs to be introduced to the magic of Uluru long before he's born."
As Davide processed her surprise, she lifted her head to gaze steadily into the depths of his sparkling eyes and reached to smooth a lock of hair from his forehead. When his mouth touched hers, he whispered, "Princess, you have made me the happiest Prince that ever lived."